On this day in 1993, Stoke City’s 10,000-strong travelling army at Old Trafford was bolstered by two extra faces.

There was not enough room to accommodate Graham Harbey and John Butler on the bench as the Potters headed to Manchester United defending a 2-1 first leg lead in the Coca Cola Cup second round.

But even Mark Stein, who had inspired victory at the Victoria Ground with two of the best goals of his career, could not help Lou Macari’s side complete the job and knock out the reigning Premier League champions.

Graham Harbey and John Butler with Stoke City fans in the away stand at Old Trafford as the Potters lost to Manchester United over two legs in the League Cup, in 1993. (Image: Sentinel archive)

Lee Sharpe gave United the lead on the night with a close-range volley and Brian McClair finally killed the tie off in the 88th minute after Toddy Orlygsson had inadvertently directed the ball into his path.

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It was not the first time Alex Ferguson had reason to thank Orlygsson.

Three years previously the manager had been under so much pressure there were rumours he would be sacked if his side chalked up with anything other than a win over Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup third round. And it was Orlygsson who lost possession 10 minutes into the second half, leaving a certain Mark Hughes to set up Mark Robins with a superb curling cross. Robins netted ... and we know the rest.

Sir Alex Ferguson, Mark Hughes and Sir Bobby Charlton of Manchester United celebrates in the dressing room with the Premiership Trophy at the end of the 1993/94 season. (Image: Photo by John Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)

Anyway, Fergie - who would win the Premiership again that season - told The Sentinel he thought Stoke were top flight material, even if they wouldn't actually reach the promised land until 2008.

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“They have Premier League potential,” he said. “Division One is a hell of a league to get out of, but if they do I think they would have the resources and back up to establish themselves as a Premier club.

“I see Stoke, along with the likes of Wolves, Derby and Sunderland, in that bracket. With support like they have had against us it is clear they have a great potential.”

Lou Macari later revealed that his team talk for the famous home win had been provided by kit man Neil "Nello" Baldwin...

How Nello outfoxed Fergie

Macari said: "I want to lift the lid on the day Sir Alex Ferguson was out-foxed by a kit man. Not just any old kit man, though, but Stoke’s legendary Neil “Nello” Baldwin.

"I remember agonising about how we were going to try to get the better of Manchester United on the afternoon of their visit to the Victoria Ground for a League Cup tie back in September 1993.

"Then Neil popped his head round the door and offered a few simple words of advice.

Former Stoke City manager Lou Macari and his old kit man Neil Baldwin, who joined the club from the circus. (Image: Mark Scott/The Sentinel)

"So when I was with the players in the dressing room before the game, there was no great talk about United’s strengths because I didn’t want them thinking they were about to take on Real Madrid.

"So I said: “I’ve consulted my right-hand man, ‘Nello’ and he says ‘Just win the match!’” Simple, but effective, and thanks to a couple of Mark Stein goals it worked wonders."